Michigan JR QB No Longer a Secret

<p>Lansing Everett's <strong>Mike Canfield</strong> may not be a name that many
outside of Mid-Michigan know, but after his performance at the Army All-American
Combine, that may soon change.</p>

There was no shortage of quarterback talent at last weekend' combine in San
Antonio Texas. Signal callers from across the country traveled to the Lone Star
State to get tested, receive instruction, and compete against the best of the
best. A number of those young men already had reputations that preceded them.
Others, however, did not.

Mike Canfield, the 6-1.5 inch 216-1b. fireballer from Lansing, Michigan may
have traveled to the Alamo dome without much acclaim, but he certainly left
with some. It was clear that he had better arm strength than most of the participants
in attendance, rivaling young men like Tim Tebow for the distinction of strongest
arm. Watching him throw, it was very easy to see how he led the Vikings to their
best season in years.

Canfield transferred to Everett after earning all-league honors as a freshman
at Lansing Eastern. This season he teamed with senior Mike Stevenson to form
an explosive duo that ended 18-game losing streak to East Lansing and notched
the first playoff victory in school history (over Flint Central). A last minute
comeback by Flushing prevented the Vikings from winning their second. Still,
it was a lofty accomplishment at a place that Canfield readily admits has not
been a football school.

Despite not being at a perennial football powerhouse, college coaches have
slowly begun to take notice of his talents. "I'm hearing the Big Ten mostly,"
Canfield said. "Notre Dame is in there. Michigan State. Michigan. I'm thinking
about going back to the Michigan this summer. I camped there last summer."

When asked if he had spoken to any coaches while at camp, Canfield laughingly
said, "Not really. I was kind of low on their radar."

As is the case for the majority of college prospects his age, recruiting is
just really starting for this mid Michigan sleeper. Michigan State is one of
the programs that has shown steady interest, but surprisingly, Mike did not
grow up a Spartan fan. "I'm originally from Virginia," Canfield said.
"I moved up to Michigan my seventh grade year. I was a Michigan fan in
Virginia."

Now that college is just on the horizon, the appeal of the respective institution
and the opportunity it presents will play the most significant role in his choice.
"I want to major in criminal justice," Canfield said. "Whoever
has better school in that and the better atmosphere will be what I consider
most."

GBW will keep track of Canfield in the months ahead.

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Here once again is GBW's initial Combine scouting report on Canfield, including action photos:

Stats: He measured 6-1 1/2 and weighed 216 lbs. His stated school prefs, in order: "U-M, MSU, OSU, Notre Dame, Iowa." He has no offers at this early point.

Canfield has a build/body
similar to Chad Henne. He shocked onlookers with his arm strength, because absolutely
no one knew who he was (except us, of course). The guy has a cannon for an arm.
Mike told us he doesn't have any offers, but he's interested in Michigan.